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- Tasks: Support technical accounting queries and deliver statutory financial statements.
- Company: Join DFTO, the public sector rail owning group transforming train operations.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, generous annual leave, and a strong pension scheme.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in the rail industry while developing your accounting skills.
- Qualifications: Qualified accountant with strong financial reporting experience and analytical skills.
- Other info: Flexible working options and opportunities to network across the industry.
The predicted salary is between 63700 - 63700 £ per year.
About DFT Operator
DFTO is the government's public sector rail owning group. Its purpose is to bring all currently privately-owned train operators into public ownership in advance of the creation of Great British Railways in 2027 - and deliver improvements in the here and now by unifying and integrating train operations under common public ownership. DFTO has over 30,000 employees, runs over 8,500 services a day and delivers over 640 million customer journeys across its networks every year.
Major improvements are being delivered by DFTO train operators (TOCs) that are already under public ownership - these are LNER, Northern, TransPennine Express (TPE), Southeastern, South Western Railway (SWR), c2c, Greater Anglia and WM Trains. We work closely with the DfT but operate independently with our own governance and leadership teams. Our priority is ensuring efficient, dependable rail services for everyone.
Primary Purpose of Job:
The Financial Accountant is a new role within DFTO as the group continues to grow with more TOCs entering the group under the public ownership programme. The key responsibilities of the role revolve around supporting with technical accounting queries, harmonisation of accounting policies across the Group and delivery of the statutory financial statements and annual audit process. This role is therefore suited to an individual with a keen interest in technical accounting who wants to further develop their skills in this area supporting the Head of Financial Reporting. The role is within the DFTO Group finance team and will involve extensive exposure to the TOCs owned by the group, therefore requiring strong communication skills and the ability to develop strong relationships.
Key Responsibilities:
- Provide expertise and contribute to the production of the group and subsidiary TOC (Train Operating Company) accounts and consolidation.
- Review and consolidate the accounting policies adopted by the TOCs, harmonising policies throughout the group.
- Draft technical accounting papers for DFTO Group and provide technical guidance to TOCs.
- Support with the delivery of the year end audit.
- Develop and maintain strong working relationships with TOC finance teams and the wider DFTO Group finance function.
Knowledge, Skills, Experience & Technical Qualifications:
- Qualified accountant, ACA or equivalent, with strong financial accounting experience and an interest in statutory reporting.
- Significant experience of financial reporting and writing technical accounting papers.
- Experience in the production of annual financial statements, ideally within a multi-entity or group environment.
- Strong attention to detail, be confident working to deadlines and enjoy collaborating with a range of stakeholders.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to identify accounting issues, propose solutions, and exercise sound professional judgement.
- Advanced Excel and financial modelling skills, with confidence working with large or complex datasets.
Vacancy Details:
- Duration: 6 Month Fixed Term contract/secondment
- Location: London Waterloo
- Salary: up to £63,700
- Closing date: 31st March 2026
DFTO Benefits:
- Annual Leave: Starting at 25 days and rising to an additional day per year of service completed within the first 5 completed years up to a maximum of 5 additional (30 days).
- DC Pension Scheme: 10% Employer contribution, 5% Employee contribution.
- Opportunities to learn and network across the wider industry.
We are an inclusive employer of choice and we welcome applications from everyone! We encourage our colleagues to work flexibly, as we know traditional working patterns don’t always fit. If you want to consider working flexibly, just let us know and we’ll do our best to help and invest in your career with us, whilst you have a healthy work-life balance.
If you have any questions or reasonable adjustments, please contact Amra.Hurley@dftoperator.co.uk. Please do not email any CVs to us, your application must be made by clicking the 'Apply' button.
Financial Accountant in London employer: DfT Operator
Contact Detail:
DfT Operator Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Financial Accountant in London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to current employees at DFTO on LinkedIn or through industry events. A friendly chat can give you insider info and maybe even a referral!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by brushing up on your technical accounting knowledge. Be ready to discuss how you can contribute to harmonising accounting policies across the group.
✨Tip Number 3
Show off your Excel skills! Bring examples of financial models or reports you've created in the past. This will demonstrate your analytical abilities and attention to detail.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining the DFTO team.
We think you need these skills to ace Financial Accountant in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV reflects the skills and experience mentioned in the job description. Highlight your financial accounting expertise and any relevant experience with statutory reporting to catch our eye!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Use your cover letter to tell us why you're passionate about this role at DFTO. Share specific examples of your past work that align with the responsibilities of the Financial Accountant position.
Showcase Your Technical Skills: Since this role involves technical accounting queries, be sure to mention your proficiency in advanced Excel and financial modelling. We want to see how you can handle complex datasets!
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it’s super easy!
How to prepare for a job interview at DfT Operator
✨Know Your Numbers
As a Financial Accountant, you'll need to demonstrate your expertise in financial reporting. Brush up on key accounting principles and be ready to discuss your experience with statutory financial statements. Prepare examples of how you've tackled technical accounting queries in the past.
✨Showcase Your Communication Skills
This role requires strong communication skills to build relationships with TOC finance teams. Think of instances where you've successfully collaborated with others or resolved conflicts. Be prepared to share these stories during your interview.
✨Demonstrate Attention to Detail
Attention to detail is crucial in accounting. During the interview, highlight specific projects where your meticulous nature made a difference. You might even want to bring along a sample of your work that showcases your ability to manage complex datasets.
✨Ask Insightful Questions
Interviews are a two-way street! Prepare thoughtful questions about DFTO's approach to harmonising accounting policies or their plans for integrating new TOCs. This shows your genuine interest in the role and helps you assess if it's the right fit for you.